Monday, March 31, 2008
Our search for Happiness

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."

-Anne Frank

One thing I'm very sure about people is that, everyone in this world wants to be happy. Of course we do. Who doesn't? We usually do every possible way to find that happiness that will make our lives better and more colorful. We try new things, make new things or look for new things.

However, sometimes we do unnecessary things that we think are the best to feel happy although the truth is, they will just drown us into the depths of disappointment and sorrow. Also, there are times in our lives when we, ourselves, are the one who do not realize that we could actually feel happy every time... if we just allow ourselves to.

In our Guidance Office in school, there is a wall where you could write anything (by using post-its) that would make you happy. I think it's made so that we could actually think about what we really want in our lives. And by knowing what those are, we could eventually think of present and future actions that we need to make in order for those things to happen. I can't exactly remember what I wrote in there for the first time but I think it's shallow since I took it off away after a few weeks. But after that, I wrote there again something that at least much better than the first. I wrote, "Finding my Princess". As a result, our Guidance Adviser asked me if I already found her. But obviously I said I still haven't since that's the truth. Then my classmates looked at me. They were surprised to read something like that from me. Yeah, I don't really talk about that thing. I mean, love. Well, I do talk about it but only occasionally. But that time, I guess I just really wrote there the truth. That finding my future eternal companion will make me happy.

"How many times do we look for our happiness at a distance inspace or time rather than right now, in our own homes, with our own families and friends."

-James E. Faust

Have you ever heard the story about Ali Hafed? The man who used to be one of the wealthiest Persian but sold all his possessions because of his search for a precious gem?

The story goes like this…

There was a man named Ali Hafed. He owned many lands in Persia. He was really wealthy and rich. He also has a lovely family that makes him feel everything is perfect in his life.

One day, there was an old priest who came and spoke to Ali. He told Ali that if he'll be able to find a diamond as big as his thumb in a river full of white sands, he will surely get richer.

So, Ali then sold all his possessions to travel around the world to look for that diamond and even left his family with his neighbor's care.

Ali traveled for many years but was unable to find what he was looking for. He suffered a lot of pain and suffereings during his travel.

Meanwhile, the man whom bought Ali's lands went walking with his camel one day to Ali's old garden. While letting his camel to drink in the stream, he suddenly was surprised to see something glittering below the water. He reached for it and saw a very beautiful gem. Later, it was revealed that it was the gem Ali was looking for all his life.

If only Ali didn't travel around the world and sold his possession, he could have been more rich and wealthy than before.

The story tells us much about what's happening in our world today. Sometimes, we try to look for something far from us just to achieve the happiness we want. Unfortunately, what we don't realize is that, the things that could actually make us feel the true happiness are already in front of us. These are our family, our friends, and the gospel and love of God.

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God"

-Joseph Smith

Since the beginning of time, God has this wonderful plan for all of us. He calls it the Plan of Happiness. But because of our choices, we often times do not receive the blessings of this said plan. Now, what we should only do is to direct ourselves in the right path in order to gain that happiness. And this is by being obedient to the commandments of the Lord.

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best ofeverything. They just make the best of everything."

-Martin Seligan

Being happy isn't really that hard. In fact, there are lots of things that could make us feel the joy. Some of these are just simple things like being with the people we love, seeing the innocent faces and smiles of babies, listening to uplifting music, praying every time and feeling that God is always there to guide us and help us and many more.

We don't need to be one of the most successful men or women in history just to be happy. We just need to be optimistic and appreciate the littlest things.

See the best in everything. Make the best in everything as the quote above says. If we do these, we will surely adore life.

Like the cliche goes, happiness is a choice. It's only we who could help ourselves be happy whatever life brings.

Friday, March 14, 2008
Beautiful, with or without them

"There are always challenges at every stage in our life, overcoming them is what life is all about"

- Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

I bet nobody could ever say that life is easy. Because in fact, life is pretty much full of trials, problems, temptations and hardships. And often times, we find ourselves confuse and troublesome for what life brings.

As we get older, we realize that life is not all about candies, toys and cartoons. That every day won't be a sunny day. And that crying is really not the best solution if we want something.

Life is really not simple as we thought it was. However, life is also not that difficult especially if we do our best in everything we do.

"Life kicks you around sometimes. It scares you and it beats you up. But there's one day when you realize you're not just a survivor. You're a fighter. You're tougher than anything life throws your way. And you are."

- One Tree Hill

It has been said that there's always something that could ruin the moments in our lives. But I guess it's still in our hands if we're going to allow it to destroy us. We always have the power to be joyful, even if a situation itself is sorrowful.

There are times in our lives when we wish that in the future, we'll have days without problems and trials. However, what we don't realize is that these said difficulties that we experience are in fact, helpful to us. We just don't see how they make us a better person. This is because these troubles make us stronger. They cause us to be conscious that we are braver and tougher than we think we are. And lastly, they help us appreciate the happiest moments in our lives.

"We will encounter problems for the rest of our lives but there will be nothing we can't manage."

- Jay McGraw

If we just look at the brighter side, we could see that life is really beautiful, with or without problems.